Proteas face the Mustafizur music- Bangladesh v South Africa 1st test, Day 1 report

Proteas face the Mustafizur music- Bangladesh v South Africa 1st test, Day 1 report: Winning the toss on a flat pitch and choosing to bat first South Africa came to the game with a hope to give a tough fight and come back strong in the first Test match against Bangladesh after the loss of 3 match ODI series with 2-1. The number one team was pulled back from a promising start, as Bangladesh turned the tables in the second session of the match, the day ended with the South Africans holding the ball. The flat pitch had no bounce, pace or turn for the Bangladesh bowlers, the Proteas could get comfortable on the crease with ease but the Tigers ensured that would turn into frustration.

Mustafizur did not fail to impress the cricket lovers in this form of cricket as well, his limited over talent was already known to all, his 14th over will no doubt rule the headlines. Three deliveries, full and tempting brought him the wickets of Hashim Amla, who played it away from the body to give the 19-year-old his first test wicket, JP Duminy was back to the pavilion after a shout of lbw which raised the umpire’s finger after a review and Quinton de Kock’s poor form continued when he was bowled out, which was enough to rip the Porteas batting line up into pieces.

The silent hero of the Tigers, who rather went unnoticed was Mohammad Shahid who though left unrewarded, due to two missed opportunities where both Vernon Philander and Bavuma were dropped off his bowling by Imrul Kayes at slip, sent down nine maiden overs, six of them in a single spell. Bavuma reached his half century by the time he was dropped down both Faf and Elgar touched the mark of 48 and 47 respectively went on to lose their wickets in the middle session and putting a halt to the sprinting start they had acquired.

Dean Elgar, started positively with partner Stiaan van Zyl, who lost wicket in the 13th over. South Africa’s spirited start meant Bangladesh were looking for a way to slow them down in the form of Shakib Al Hasan, who was introduced in the ninth over, Van Zyl seemed comfortable to take on the spinners but a delivery from Mahmudullah that came down the leg resulted in a caught behind thus losing his wicket scoring 34 runs. With Van Zyl gone runs still continued to come the shredding began after the Lunch break when Shahid concentrated all his might to targeting the area in the off side.

Faf Du Plessis’ two and a half hour stay seemed to have stabilize the South African innings, with only one success since morning, Bangladeshis where striving harder with line and length bowling. The hard work was awarded soon when Dean Elgar lost his wicket to Taijul Islam . The first 18 overs after lunch yielded only 28 runs. South Africa lost its control over the day as Mustafizur Rahman making his test debut went on to crush the inexperienced South African middle order which was without AB de Villiers, the only rescue to this sinking ship was his replacement Temba Bavuma the only half centurion in the entire South African scorecard that had only two partnerships that crossed the mark of fifty the struggling visitor’s side lost their last nine wickets for 112 runs.

South Africa had slipped to 173/6 when Bavuma was left with the tail-enders. Vernon Philander and Simon Harmer stuck to the wicket for quite a while supporting Bavuma to build the total. Philander once dropped on 18 gave away his wicket after seven deliveries while Harmer lost his wicket on short leg off Jubair’s delivery, after he landed the ball on Mominul Haque’s stomach, where he caught it. Ending a dominant day for his team Bavuma was hardly backed up.

The day ended with South Africa being on the fielding side, where Bangladesh made 7 runs off 2 overs without losing a wicket.

Brief Scores:

South Africa- 248/10 ( Temba Bavuma -54; Mustafizur Rahman– 4/37)

Bangladesh- 7/0 (I Kyes 5*)